Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.
The In-Between Place
It felt like closing my eyes and opening them a second later. Stepping through bamboo with three others behind me, I looked around for the monstrous spirit. But only saw that village. What happened?
"Sokka", Katara cried. Obvious relief in her voice. But I didn't get a chance to see her. Kaya was on me before my eyes could see anyone else. Reflexively, my arms wrapped around her middle; stance widening to accommodate us both. I'm not sure what's happening, but… Standing with no distance between Kaya and me, the right side of my face resting on top of her yellow hair, I decided it wasn't a bad thing.
"What's going on?" I asked as Aang and Katara hurried over. Kaya stepped back; gripping onto my left arm with both her hands. Around us, the villagers surrounded the loved ones who had gone missing. Chatter and cries of relief filled the air. Creating a joyful ambiance for our reunion. Hearing it, seeing it; made me long for a different reunion. One that would take place on the shores of the South Pole.
"You spent a whole day in the spirit world", Katara explained; eyes wide they washed over me. She started at my toes and ended at my head. "How do you feel?"
How do I feel? I silently repeated the question as Aang and Katara waited; shifting a little anxiously on their feet. While Kaya's attention seemed to be directed at her boots as she bothered her bottom lip. The change between now and when we first got to this village was befuddling. What happened in the hours I missed?
Slowly, I took stock of my body. My limbs felt loose but heavy. Like I'd been forced from a deep sleep before I was ready. But I also felt fully awake. There was no struggle to keep my eyes open. And I felt clean… cleaner. My only complaint was a full feeling in my bladder. But that was something I could deal with once Kaya wasn't clinging to my arm. "I'm fine", I answered; pulling my arm free from Kaya so I could hold her hand instead. She wasn't angry and I wasn't stupid enough to let that go. "But how did you get me out, Aang?"
"Yeah, Aang!" Katara turned to face him; now satisfied I wasn't about to keel over. "You did it all on your own. How did you figure it out?" The admiration in Katara's eyes reminded me of when we were younger and she still thought I was cool.
Aang moved his staff from leaning against one of his shoulders to his other before rubbing the back of his bald head. "Actually", his eyes flashed in Kaya's direction. Kaya, who stared at me like she was trying to see something that wasn't there. "I had help. Kaya had a lot of insight".
At the sound of her name, Kaya refocused on Aang; ignoring my raised eyebrow. "Hei Bai not bad", she said. Sounding cautious as a wary eye got sent in Katara's direction. Okay, I thought; gripping Kaya's hand a little tighter. What had gone down when I was… away?
Around us, the villagers started moving. Some returned to their homes. Others found peers to discuss how they were going to rebuild and what to do about the bamboo. Smiling, Aang nodded in agreement. His body language was enough to get Kaya to release some of the tension she held in her shoulders. "Yeah, Hei Bai isn't bad. He was just upset and trying to tell people why".
"Wait, I'm confused", I said as Katara listened with a frown marring her features. "How could Kaya give you insight?" I mean, it didn't matter if Kaya was smart or insightful. It wasn't like she had the words to really share information.
"And you entered the spirit world the same time Sokka did", Katara pointed out. Wait, Aang had been spirited away too? "When could Kaya tell you anything".
"Um… Well", Aang stammered as he tried to find the right words. He kept his eyes on the yellow-haired girl; examining her like she was a puzzle he'd just solved. "I didn't actually go to the spirit world… I think. I think I was stuck in between here and there. Because right after Sokka got taken, I came back to the village. I could see you", Aang told Katara. "But no one could see me. Except Kaya".
"What?" Because that made no sense.
At least, it didn't to me. Katara's eyes widened; raising her hand to cover her mouth. "Kaya tried to tell me and I…" She trailed off; seemingly horrified.
"Yeah", Aang agreed; slowly nodding. "I'm not sure how, but Kaya could see and hear me. And Kaya said she was stuck in the in-between place, that's what she calls the spirit world, for a long time before waking up in your tent…" Aang trailed off. Seemingly unaware of the slack-jawed expressions Katara and I were giving him. "She… In the spirit world, we could understand everything the other was saying. Kaya and me, that is".
"What?!" I asked. Kaya jumped at the sudden increase in volume as a few villagers turned their eyes in our direction.
Katara recovered quicker than I did. "I think you better start from the beginning".
And, so… Aang did.
Aang approached the village gates with his head hung low and his staff dragging in the dirt. The moon was low in the sky; signaling that night was close to its end. In his disappointed state, he didn't notice that no dirt was being disturbed by his staff. At the sight of Katara and Kaya haunting the village gates; staring anxiously into the forest, Aang paused and sighed. He didn't have good news for them. But he approached anyway.
"Katara", Aang heard Kaya say as she stood over the other girl; Momo cradled in her arms. "Hei Bai not bad", she insisted. However, the worry in her eyes told a different story. Sitting in the dirt with her legs folded under her and her feet pointed to the left, Katara refused to acknowledge Kaya. "Sokka…" Kaya trailed off; biting her lip as she searched for a word she could use. She didn't notice the trembling in Katara's arms or the emotion taking over. "… Safe. Hei Bai-"
"What do you know?" Katara asked; jerking her head up to glare at the older girl. The ferocity in Katara's tone had Kaya taking a startled step back as Momo squeaked and scurried out of her arms to hide behind Kaya's shoulder instead. "Sokka was only out there because of you! If you hadn't ran outside, then he wouldn't have… What we're doing is dangerous! Sokka can't always be rescuing you because you don't understand what's going on. He'll get hurt doing that! He has been hurt".
Water welled in Kaya's eyes. Something Katara studiously ignored as she turned her eyes back to the ground; her hand rolled into a fist of defeat. Aang was speechless as he listened in on the girls. Katara never said mean things like that… Okay, to Sokka maybe. But not to Kaya. It wouldn't be a fair fight. Aang was grateful the girls hadn't noticed him yet. What would Katara say to him when he told her he lost her brother?
But Aang knew, even if it was difficult to bear, that only a moment was all he could be spared. "Katara?" Aang approached; voice meek. Katara didn't look up. Though Kaya's head snapped in his direction. "Katara, I lost him. I'm sorry".
Katara remained unresponsive. And Aang feared the worst. But maybe it was better if Katara was angry with him. Better him than Kaya. At least Aang had the chance of-
Aang's attention was pulled away from his depressing musings as Kaya stepped closer. Her eyes stared directly at him. "Aang?" She asked; head tilting to the side.
Aang thought about making the downward hand motion Sokka sometimes did to tell Kaya everything was fine. But he didn't want to lie. "It's okay, Kaya", he said instead. Kaya's eyes widened as if she was seeing him for the first time. "I'll figure this out. I'll bring Sokka back. I'm the bridge between the worlds. Once I figure out how to… be a bridge, getting Sokka back should be easy".
"Katara", Kaya called when the other girl failed to rise from her hunched-over position in the dirt. "Aang is-"
Katara lunged to her feet. "Yes! Aang is gone too". She took an aggravated step forward; fists clenched at her sides. Kaya kept looking back and forth between Aang and Katara. As if trying to direct Katara's attention with her eyes. But Katara never turned away as she let go of some of her frustration. "And maybe he wouldn't be if you hadn't gotten in the way!"
"Wait a minute, Katara", Aang pleaded. He took a step forward; reaching out his hand to touch Katara on the shoulder. "You shouldn't say that. I'm right here and we'll figure this -" His hand went through Katara's shoulder. As if he was made of steam. His words were unable to reach her. Only Kaya seemed able to hear him. "You can't see me", Aang concluded as he frowned down at his hand. "Am I in the spirit world?"
Despite Katara shaking with anger in front of her, Kaya couldn't ignore Aang. Especially when someone was finally making coherent sense. Kaya felt like she could cry. How long had it been since she last understood every word a person said? "Katara can't see you?" Kaya said; rephrasing Aang's words in her own tongue. She glanced down at Momo, who was still clinging to her instead of checking in with Aang as he normally would have done. "I don't think Momo can either". Her tone made her sound perturbed.
It was Aang's turn to stare with wide-eyed amazement. "I can understand you!" Kaya stared back at him in shock. Katara nearly forgotten. "How did you learn so much so quickly?"
At the same time, Katara exploded. "Stop talking in gibberish! No one knows your language, so what's the point?!" She was gesturing wildly and broadly with her arms to enunciate each word. It was probably a good thing they weren't near any bodies of water or Kaya would have probably been washed away.
Fists trembling, Katara took many deep breaths. Still, she failed to notice Kaya's eyes scanning what she would've perceived as open air. "I need time to myself". It was a gruff admittance. One Kaya probably didn't understand. But as Katara walked further into the village, her shoulders held tensely by her ears, Kaya didn't follow. With Aang standing in front of her, the thought of staying with Katara never crossed her mind.
"Wait", Aang said slowly as Momo situated himself so he could hold on to Kaya's hair and watch Katara go. "Katara couldn't understand you but I could… can. What language are you speaking?"
Fidgeting a little, Kaya kept her eyes on Aang; hoping no villager was around to see her talking to an invisible person. "My language", Kaya spoke slowly. "The one I knew before coming here. Aang… where are you? Why couldn't Katara see you?"
Slowly, things started connecting in Aang's mind as the night continued to break into dawn. Katara couldn't see him. But Kaya could. He had been chasing after Hei Bai. A spirit. So, where else could he be if not the spirit world? Though that still didn't explain Kaya… "I'm in the spirit world. I have to be. Nothing else makes sense".
The skin between Kaya's eyes wrinkled as she cast another careful glance at her surroundings. "What's the spirit world?" She asked once refocused on him. There were thousands of questions in her brown eyes. A million different things she wanted to say. But Kaya refrained. With Katara upset, Aang invisible, and Sokka missing, Kaya had to prioritize.
Aang gaped. How to describe it? Before now, it was something everyone knew about. A common fantastical place that appeared in most bedtime stories. "You know… The spirit world. Where spirits live. Don't you have spirits or spirit shrines where you're from?"
Kaya slowly shook her head; her mind elsewhere. Aang wasn't sure what to make of this new information. Which people didn't believe in spirits? Aang couldn't think of any. "Hei Bai is a spirit?" Kaya asked. She already suspected his answer, but waited for Aang to nod before continuing; comprehension sparking in her brown pupils. "You're talking about the in-between place".
"The in-between place?"
"Where Hei Bai lives", Kaya explained. "And Fang, and May-Jim, and Aye-Aye, and-" Aang's mind was whirling as Kaya listed off multiple spirits. Speaking as if she knew them personally. It must have shown on his face because Kaya cut herself off. "The world between worlds… that's where they live". Kaya finished sheepishly. Though she felt compelled to continue the longer Aang openly gaped; jaw slacked. "It kind of reminded me of Wonderland. Since everyone there was so… different and nothing made a lot of sense".
A deluge of different things slammed into Aang's consciousness at the same time. And he did nothing to hold them back. His curiosity wouldn't allow it. "What's Wonderland? Is that where you're from? Does everyone have yellow hair where you're from? Have you been to the spirit world? You talk as if you're friends with them but before you said you didn't have spirits where you're from. So, you must have gone there. How do you know Hei Bai? Who's Aye-Aye? How did you end up with Katara and Sokka?"
The longer Aang went without breathing, the more dazed Kaya became. Did… Did Aang not need air in the spirit world? Or wherever he was? "Um… wait". Kaya held up her hands to slow him down as she attempted to recall all his questions. "Uh, Wonderland is not real. It's a place in a story written in my world". Aang's eyes sparkled and Kaya flinched. Her world. Saying that out loud after so long… What if she didn't belong here as much as she wished to? "I don't think my world has a name since we didn't know there were others. Um…"
Kaya started to scratch Momo behind his ears in an effort to calm herself as the rising sun began to cast the village in a gentle morning glow. She had imagined having this conversation many times. Always, Kaya pictured herself more put together than she currently felt. And she always thought this conversation would be with Sokka. Maybe Gran-gran. But never Aang.
"There was a fire", Kaya said slowly; her face darkening; recalling things she normally tried to ignore. "At my house. My sister was…" Kaya furiously shook her head; unwilling to go down that path. "But I got trapped. I thought I was going to die. But I didn't. Something happened. I don't know what. And I woke up in the in-between place".
"Is that how you got those scars on your arms?" Aang interrupted; completely intrigued. In the back of his head, Aang knew there were other things he needed to focus on. Sokka was missing. So were some of the villagers. As Avatar it was his duty, his responsibility to help. But… He didn't know how to do that. So, what was the harm in listening to Kaya's story? Maybe he'd learn something about the spirit world. Besides, Sokka would be so jealous when he learned Aang was the first person to learn about Kaya's past.
Kaya flinched at the reminder. She would have touched the scars under her sleeves if Momo wasn't keeping her hands occupied. "No", she answered awkwardly. "Those came later. Um… Fang found me", Kaya got back on track. "He helped me. Most spirits are nice, but some are dangerous, and not all like humans. Fang made sure I stayed away from the ones who wouldn't want me there. He introduced me to Hei Bai".
Eagerness sparked in Kaya's eyes as she directed the full power of her expression on Aang. Telling the young Avatar that this was something Kaya wanted him to understand. "Hei Bai is a nice spirit. He doesn't mind humans. He is a little introverted and has a bad temper. But he wouldn't hurt somebody else unless they hurt him first. There has to be a reason he's doing this!"
At the reminder of who was missing from their group, Aang grew somber. "Okay, Kaya. I believe you, But do you know why Hei Bai would kidnap people?"
Staring at her boots, Kaya shook her head as she tried to think this through. "Before last night, I didn't know spirits could visit other worlds".
Her admittance planted a question in Aang's mind. One that led to more answers than he suspected. "You said you don't know how you got to the spirit world. But do you know how you got to this one?" Maybe, if Kaya could remember, Aang could use the same method. Just in reverse. Then he could rescue Sokka and the others, return to his physical body, and everything would be fine.
"It was a mistake". As Kaya spoke, she re-invited eye contact with Aang. Momo purred as she continued to pay great attention to the spot behind his ears. "I wanted to go home. But to do that, Fang said I needed to find the right bridge". Aang's spine stiffened. "So, I started searching the in-between place. I found a bridge. There was no way of knowing if it was the right one. But I… took a chance. And, well, I woke up in Sokka's and Katara's home".
Aang's shoulders slumped as he leaned most of his weight on his staff. He was the bridge. Kaya had found her way into their world by crossing through him… over him? Aang wasn't sure how a person could use a spiritual bridge. But he supposed it didn't matter. "I don't know what to do", he admitted. "I'm supposed to be the connection between here and the spirit world. I'm the only person who can go after the others. But I don't know how. I don't even know how I ended up like this!" Aang flapped his arms in a gesture to his invisible and intangible self.
A shimmer in the sky caught Kaya's attention. Her head arched back as she searched for it. "Aang", she called as she pointed into the sky "Look".
And Aang did. Turning on his heel, he followed the direction Kaya pointed; noticing the same thing she did. It looked like a large ribbon was flying. It grew and grew in size the closer it came; falling closer and closer to the earth. "What is that?" Aang asked as he and Kaya started to make out more features. "Another spirit?" Aang clutched his staff tightly.
"Fang!" Kaya announced; sounding almost relieved when she recognized the dragon hurtling towards them. She took a step forward. Coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with Aang; leaving the village gates behind her. "Maybe Fang can help". Kaya waved an arm over her head as Momo blinked confusedly at the sudden change in behavior.
"Wait, Fang is a dragon?" Aang asked as Fang was now close enough to make out the giant bat-like wings, the horns on his great head, and the whisker decorating his face. "Dragons can be- Kaya step back!"
It was too late. Fang was upon them and Kaya didn't seem bothered in the slightest. As soon as the dragon landed, she stepped close to him; possessing no fear for Fang's size, strength, or the sharpness of his teeth. "Fang", the yellow-haired girl greeted. "It's good to see you. I wasn't sure I ever would again".
Aang nearly dropped his staff as he watched Kaya place a gentle hand on Fang's nose. Fang bowed his great head to allow her to do so. Her hand didn't slip through the spirit. Completely unlike when Aang had tried to touch Katara. How was Kaya able to do this? The dragon made deep chuffing sounds as he blew air on Kaya. Not that it had any physical effect. As such, Momo continued to cling to Kaya. Unaware there was a dragon right in front of him.
"I know. I'm sorry", Kaya spoke remorsefully. "You didn't want me to cross the bridge yet. But I had to leave and I made friends and now…" As if remembering where she was and what was at stake, Kaya stepped aside. Though she left a hand on Fang's nose; taking comfort from the dragon's presence. "Fang this is Aang. Can you help us? No one can see Aang except us, and Hei Bai took one of our other friends to the in-between place".
Fang let out a soft growl. One that had Kaya frowning. "You're here for Aang?" Aang was struggling to believe what he was hearing. What he was seeing. It was like Kaya could understand the dragon. Tentatively, Aang stepped forward. "You don't know where Sokka is, do you?"
One of Fang's long tendrils stretched out and touched Aang on the forehead. Aang was compelled to close his eyes as an image of his past self riding through the air on Fang's back filled his mind. Meanwhile, Kaya looked on. "You're Roku's animal guide!" Aang announced as his eyes flew open. "You were his Appa!" Kaya blinked as she accepted this new information. Did that mean Appa would be a spirit one day too? "Listen, our friend was taken and I don't know how to save him. Is there a way I can talk to Roku?"
Fang let out another growl. One that sent Kaya away from his side. With a graceful turn, Fang showed his back to Aang. "He wants you to get on", Kaya explained.
Determined and eager to move forward, Aang obliged; scrambling onto the dragon's back. "Kaya", Aang said before Fang took off. "I promise I'll bring Sokka back". Kaya nodded in thanks. "It was really nice to talk to you". Aang added as Fang started to move.
Kaya smiled. "You too, Aang" Kaya answered; voice a bit lonesome. She stood still, Momo cradled her arms as Fang leaped into the air; flying off in the direction and Aang could only hope would lead him to Avatar Roku.
"Fang took me to a temple on an island", Aang explained to me and Katara.
Well… mostly to Katara. I was having a hard time following along. My mind was stuck on that bit about Kaya being from a different world. "I'm engaged to an alien", I kept muttering to myself as Aang continued with his story. An alien… What… Why… How… I didn't know what to think.
"Since we weren't physically in this world, we flew right through the temple roof. And inside the temple was a giant statue of Avatar Roku. But I didn't get to talk to him. Instead, Fang showed me a picture of a comet and something about the solstice. I think that's when I'll be able to talk to Roku".
"A comet?" Katara asked; tuning out my existential crisis. "Why did you need to know that to confront Hei Bai?"
Meanwhile, Kaya patted me consolingly on my back. An alien was touching me. A cute, nice alien. But still an alien…
"Nothing", Aang answered with a shrug. "I think Roku just wanted Fang to pass along a message. Because after the temple, and after Fang disappeared, I returned to my body. I was back in the burnt forest with a shrine in front of me. That's when I figured it out and came back to the village".
Aang looked at Kaya and smiled. One Kaya nervously returned. Probably because I couldn't stop staring at her. It's decided. I've decided. We will never tell anyone where Kaya comes from. She'd have a hard time making friends if we did. My people already accused her of being a witch. An alien had to be worse, right?
"The burnt down forest. It belongs to Hei Bai. He's the spirit who guards it. So, when it was burnt down, Hei Bai was upset and angry. He came to the village to get help as these were the people who usually made offerings to his shrine. But when they didn't understand that, he just felt worse". Aang adjusted his gaze to include Katara. "But when I showed him an acorn and told him the same thing you told me, Hei Bai felt better. And he was able to let go of his anger and return Sokka and the missing villagers".
Kaya nodded as if she understood all of that. "Hei Bai not bad", she stated. "Hei Bai…" Her face scrunched up as she searched for a word she could say.
Aang stepped up. "Hei Bai is a nice spirit with a bad temper".
Comradery sparked between Aang and Kaya. Clearly, the two had gone through something together that Katara and I couldn't fully appreciate. "Nice spirit", Kaya echoed; smiling in gratitude.